Praia da Foz do Lizandro

Praia da Foz do Lizandro is just south of Ericeira, in the parish of Carvoeira. Mafra council says it has the longest stretch of sand in the municipality, and its whole character comes from the Rio Lizandro, which runs out across the beach to the sea and gives it its name (“foz” means river mouth).

That makes it two beaches in one. The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) monitors two separate bathing waters here: Foz do Lizandro - Mar on the ocean side, and Foz do Lizandro - Rio along the right bank of the river near its mouth. Both had lifeguards in the 2026 season. For families with children of different ages, that’s the draw: toddlers can potter at the river’s edge while older children take on the waves.

On the sea side, the APA flags “waves of special value”, and the council says the waves here are known well beyond Portugal. Surfers and bodyboarders use it, the lifeguards set out the bathing zone, and children who like jumping waves will be happy. The APA also marks a rockfall risk from the cliffs at the edges.

On the river side, the APA describes a long stretch of sand along the bank near the mouth, backed by bars and restaurants. It’s classed as transitional water (where river and sea mix) rather than open coast, and the APA doesn’t flag waves there. It still needs watching: rivers have currents, and the channel can shift through the sand. Keep small children within arm’s reach and within the lifeguarded area.

Both bathing waters were rated suitable at the last analyses of the 2026 season. Over the long term the APA classes the sea side as “excellent” and the river side as “good”, one step lower.

The APA’s profiles explain why. After heavy rain, the river can carry pollution down to the sea side for a day or two, and the river side can be affected by faults in sewer networks or illegal discharges upstream. When that happens, signs go up advising against bathing. There were no such days on either side in 2025. If it has rained hard in the last couple of days, the sea side is the safer choice, or check the APA’s info água site before you go.

Mafra’s 2026 bathing season ran from 13 June to 13 September, with lifeguards from 9:00 to 19:00. The council lists an SOS Praia emergency system as well. The sea side flew the Blue Flag in 2026.

Foz do Lizandro is also a Praia Acessível (accessible beach), and in 2023 it won the national Praia + Acessível prize for coastal beaches. Mafra’s accessibility panel describes ramps onto the sand, walkways down to the shaded area as close to the water as possible, adapted toilets, reserved parking and an amphibious chair you can ask for at the concession. Mafra also supports the More Moving Moments project, which lends amphibious chairs sized for children; you book one in advance through an online form.

The council describes the beach as a leisure hub. Its bars and restaurants with terraces line a raised boardwalk that runs parallel to the river and sea front and connects to a large car park. There are changing rooms, toilets, a first-aid post, a shower, a sports area on the sand, and thatched umbrellas (colmos) and sunloungers to hire.

That boardwalk is what makes this beach easy with a buggy or a wheelchair: you can get from the car to food, toilets and the sand without crossing dunes.

In summer 2025, Carris Metropolitana ran line 2123 between Foz do Lizandro and Ribeira d’Ilhas, calling at Praia do Sul and the Ericeira bus terminal on the way. Buses from Lisbon and Mafra arrive at that terminal. The timetable data we saw covered July and August 2025 only, so check the Carris Metropolitana site for the current summer.

It’s one of the busiest beaches around Ericeira in August, and the car park and restaurants fill at weekends. The sea side is a proper surf beach. The river side’s water quality dips after rain. There’s no natural shade on the sand, so hire an umbrella or bring one.

Ericeira is minutes away. The sheltered town beach, Praia do Sul, is the calmest sea bathing nearby, and Ribeira d’Ilhas is the place to watch serious surfers. On a grey day, try the Ericeira municipal pool or head inland to the Mafra National Palace and the deer and wild boar of the Tapada Nacional de Mafra.

Is Foz do Lizandro good for toddlers?

Yes, it’s one of the better beaches around Ericeira for them, because the lifeguarded river side has no surf. Stay close anyway, since rivers have currents, and avoid the river for a day or two after heavy rain.

What time are the lifeguards on duty?

In Mafra’s 2026 season (13 June to 13 September), from 9:00 to 19:00.

Is there parking?

Yes, a large car park connected to the beach by a raised boardwalk.

Is it wheelchair and buggy friendly?

Yes. It’s a Praia Acessível with ramps, walkways, adapted toilets and an amphibious chair, and children’s amphibious chairs can be booked through More Moving Moments.

Can you swim in the river?

Yes, in the lifeguarded area during the bathing season. The river side’s water is classed “good” rather than “excellent”, and it can be affected after heavy rain.